Performing in this production has been such an educational experience for me. I've learned so much about the Actor's purpose in a production and the process that I undergo as an actor.
Purpose: My purpose as an actor is to dedicate my energy and time into making the author's (in this case Suzan-Lori Parks) text into a character. It is my job to literally flesh out a character for an audience. I have no other obligation. My job as an actor is not to impress, get rich or increase my popularity. My job is to dedicate my physical presence to the storytelling process. As an actor I am a part of a team of theatre and film artists. There are so many people involved in the storytelling process and an actor must use his body & voice (his/her instrument) to be a productive member of the team. I'm so blessed to have worked with such a committed team. I can truly say we brought Suzan-Lori Parks' work to life.
Process: Because Booth is such a complex character it was very easy to self observe during the rehearsals. After having a conversation with our director Jay Pecora, I became fully aware of how I approach a character as an actor. I read the script without any preconceived notions, I continue to read over and over again and eventually build the character. The writer creates a person; this person has a life and universe in which they live. I approach the person as if they were real, reading the play is like having a first conversation. The next time I read, I find new things and the person/character begins to introduce himself to me. He introduces himself to me through the text and I use my body and voice to introduce him to the audience.
- Sean Boyce Johnson
